Russellville Parks and Recreation hosted its annual fishing rodeo July 2 at Sloss Lake as part of Fourth of July weekend activities. Winners were (above) Drayven Borden, Dixie Dover and EJ and Darron Jones.

By Bernie Moussad for the FCT

Worms, chicken liver and crickets: what more could someone need for a great day of fishing?

Grayson Studdard and Charles Spears

To watch a child go fishing is a sight to see, but to see the joy on their faces when they reel one in is an entirely different matter. The Russellville Parks and Recreation Department hosted the annual Fishing Rodeo July 2 at Sloss Lake. Children 14 and younger spent Saturday afternoon fishing to win the ultimate prize – free registration for the sport of their choosing at the Parks and Rec Department.

Darron Jones and Melvin Young

Each child went out with choice of bait, whether it was chicken liver or worms, and cast lines at 5 p.m. With the help of parents, grandparents and older siblings, everyone was set to catch the biggest fish of them all.

Yahir and Jose Lara Cruz

By the end of the competition, the four winners were given their certificates and will be given their choice of sport for the fall season for free.

The winners of the day were Drayven Borden, Dixie Dover, EJ Jones and Darron Jones.

Bryson, Jamie and Mindy Harris

Colette and EJ jones

Marcus and Dixie Dover

Peyton Rogers and DeAndre Hamilton